Longmeadow High School awards 253 diplomas during 2010 graduation ceremony at Symphony Hall

Photo by Neil A. HawleySpringfield- Kaitlyn E. Schroyer, left, gets a hug from her brother Matthew L. Schroyer prior to the Longmeadow High School graduation Thursday evening at Symphony Hall. Both are from East Longmeadow.

LONGMEADOW – Students were told to always ask questions, always question authority and never stop learning during the Longmeadow High School graduation held at Symphony Hall in Springfield Thursday.

Ryan O’Grady, president of the Class of 2010, was the first student to address the class. He said he Googled more than one million class president speeches before writing his own speech. “No, I did not read all of them, but most of them were trite or too crass to read tonight,” he said.

He went on to list 14 points about life that he thought his classmates would appreciate. Among his recommendations he told his fellow graduates to appreciate their parents, live with their choices, be aware of labels, and maintain their reputation.

School principal Lawrence Berte also addressed the graduates. He told them that their high test scores and academic achievements showed how hard they worked over the course of four years. The school had 253 graduates with 96 percent going on to college, Berte said.

Berte also thanked Superintendent of Schools E. Jahn Hart for her 12 years of service to the school. She will retire at the end of the school, year. “You have contributed in many ways to the success of this school,” he said.

Alex M. Lucey, 17, and Amelia N. Houghton, 17, said they enjoyed their experience at the school.

“In four years here I never met a teacher I disliked,” said Lucey who will attend Springfield College in the fall. “It was a really nurturing environment.”

Houghton said the school has prepared her well for college. She will be attending Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

Berte ended his address by telling students to keep in mind the important things in life.

“A loving family and solid friendships are what really matter,” he said.